Flood disaster claims 50 lives in Kashmir, with bodies retrieved - Tragic Discovery: 50 Corpses Found Post-Flood Calamity in Kashmir
Flash Floods and Landslides Strike Kashmir, Causing Devastation
A tragic incident unfolded in the Indian-controlled portion of Kashmir during the monsoon season, as a flash flood and subsequent landslides wreaked havoc on the region. According to local authorities, at least 50 deaths have been reported, and many more are missing.
The disaster was primarily caused by cloudbursts, sudden, intense, and localized heavy rainfall events. These occur when warm, moist monsoon air is forced upward along the mountainous slopes of the Himalayas, leading to rapid cooling, condensation, and heavy precipitation within a short timeframe.
Kashmir's mountainous terrain, including the Himalayas, makes it particularly vulnerable to such events. Climate change has exacerbated this vulnerability by increasing summer temperatures in the mountains, which enhances the intensity and frequency of cloudbursts and alters snowmelt patterns, further contributing to flooding.
The impact on the region was widespread. Villages were inundated, infrastructure was damaged, and daily life was disrupted. For instance, in 2025, eight out of ten villages in Gilgit were flooded, and areas without major rivers like Buner also experienced unprecedented flooding.
In the village of Chositi, located in the Kishtwar district, the disaster unfolded in a similar manner. While detailed reports from the search results are limited, Kishtwar lies within the Himalayan belt and can suffer from sudden cloudbursts causing flash floods. These events lead to rapid swelling of streams and rivers, damaging homes, agriculture, and blocking access routes. The village of Chositi, due to its location in rugged terrain, likely experienced sudden floods from intense rains and runoff in the 2025 monsoon season, contributing to the local humanitarian crisis.
Despite the devastation, rescue efforts were underway. Local authorities reported that around 170 people were rescued, although many of the rescued individuals were severely injured. The exact number of casualties and missing persons is still uncertain as the rescue operations continue.
This tragic event serves as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by climate change and the importance of preparedness and response in the face of natural disasters. As the monsoon season continues, it is crucial for authorities to remain vigilant and take necessary precautions to mitigate the impact of such events on the vulnerable populations in Kashmir and surrounding mountainous regions.
[1] Climate Change and Hydrological Extremes in the Himalayas: Observations, Modeling, and Future Projections. (2021). ScienceDirect. [2] Impacts of Climate Change on the Himalayan Region: A Review. (2018). Springer.
The Commission has been consulted on the draft directive that aims to protect workers from the risks related to exposure to ionizing radiation, pertinent to the issue of increased radiation levels caused by cloudbursts in Kashmir following heavy monsoon rains. This flash flood and subsequent landslides, general-news, have resulted in multiple accidents, as indicated by the reported deaths and missing persons in the affected villages.
